The field hockey team bounced back from a sub-par effort against Connecticut College on Tuesday with a 2-0 thumping of Babson College Beavers yesterday on Huskins field. The victory lifted the Jumbos' record to 2-5 overall, though it did not help their 1-3 NESCAC record.
With the loss, the talented Beavers' squad fell to 8-4 on the season.
After dropping its first four decisions, the Jumbos have won two out of their last three games and carry momentum after Thursday's victory. The win was Tufts' eighth consecutive victory over Babson since 1994.
The Jumbos found themselves in control of the game very early on but was unable to find the net until 3:45 left in the opening period, when senior tri-captain Lindsay Lionetti fired a shot beyond the reach of the Babson goalkeeper, sophomore Colleen Kelley. Kelley was tested early and often by the Jumbos' offense, and she finished the game with ten saves, including seven in the first half.
"This was really the first time that we played as a unit," coach Carol Rappoli said following the game. "We played very well, and I'm very pleased with everyone's effort."
Tufts went into the break holding the 1-0 lead and maintained their aggressive play in the second half, controlling the pace of the game throughout the period. Despite a number of scoring opportunities for both teams, the score remained 1-0 until late into the half.
With 7:27 remaining in the game, it Lionetti helped the Jumbos again, this time setting up junior Dana Chivvis, who found the back of the net amidst a flurry in front of the goal. The goal was all the insurance that Tufts would need, as the Jumbos' defense held strong to record their first shutout of the season.
"We did a much better job of marking on defense," Rappoli said. "There weren't people left open all over the place."
The victory was a marked improvement on both ends of the field for the Jumbos. Except for a five goal outburst against Bates on an turf field, Tufts had managed only one goal in five games. The squad was more cohesive on defense as well, limiting a strong Babson squad to only three penalty corners and one shot on goal.
"It was very good for team morale," Rappoli said. "It's very good for them to know that they can compete against a strong team like Babson."
The team will look to improve upon its last place standing in the NESCAC on Saturday against Bowdoin at 1 p.m. Tufts will need to replicate the effort put forth against Babson in order to compete with a Bowdoin squad that boasts an impressive 3-2 NESCAC record.
"There's not much we didn't do well today," Rappoli said. "If we play like this (against Bowdoin) it will be a good game."
"It's going to be a bloodbath," Rappoli said. "I wouldn't miss it."
